Ohio State defender reacts to cracking Tennessee Vols QB Nico Iamaleava's helmet
It was so cold during the Tennessee Vols' 42-17 loss to Ohio State in Columbus that UT quarterback Nico Iamaleava cracked his helmet after taking a hit from Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon. Ohio State is set to take on the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl (which doubles as a College Football Playoff quarterfinals game) […]
It was so cold during the Tennessee Vols' 42-17 loss to Ohio State in Columbus that UT quarterback Nico Iamaleava cracked his helmet after taking a hit from Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon.
Ohio State is set to take on the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl (which doubles as a College Football Playoff quarterfinals game) as a result of their win over Tennessee.
While previewing the Rose Bowl matchup against Oregon, Simon was asked about the hit that cracked Iamaleava's helmet.
"I think so," said Simon when asked if it was the first helmet he's ever cracked. "I didn't even know at the time it was cracked. I wish I would've brought my feet more on that play. But that was pretty cool. I mean, I've never really seen that happen before. Except for (Patrick) Mahomes I think."
(Mahomes cracked his helmet in the Kansas City Chiefs' win against the Miami Dolphins in the playoffs last season.)
It was a tough hit that Iamaleava took from Simon, but it didn't slow down the Tennessee quarterback. Iamaleava showed his toughness all night long in Columbus, continuing to compete at a high level despite the Vols facing what proved to be an insurmountable deficit.
I don't think anyone will be questioning Iamaleava's toughness after what he showed against Ohio State in the frigid cold weather.
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